Auger Recommendations

[LyleK]

I am a casual ice fisherman (maybe 10 - 12 times per year). Need to purchase a new auger and am not familiar with any of the new products out there. Am thinking about a Strikemaster (only because my Jiffy has been problematic for years).

Any thoughts on the Strikemaster or other recommendations (other than Jiffy)?

Thanks

[thump55]

I bought a new auger right before Christmas, and I went into my search with an open mind, and really wanted to get the best auger I could find. I read as much as I could, and talked to people, including an unbiased repair shop. I also have friends with both Jiffy and SM. I won't bore you with all the details, but I ended up going with the 2 HP Jiffy Stealth Pro 8". (I know..you don't want a Jiffy). I couldn't be happier. I have used it 10 times and it has worked flawlessly. I was concerned 2 HP wasn't enough power, but it cuts great. The warranty was one big reason I went with the Jiffy. (1 year motor, 2 years transmission, 3 years on blades)

Can I ask how old your Jiffy was that you had troubles with?

Keep in mind, as of recently, the Tecumseh engines are the same in both the Jiffy and the SM. Not sure what will happen now that Tecumseh isn't supplying either of them engines anymore.

Dave

[stinkycat]

I had a Jiffy 30 I purchased in 1996 and it never did run great. I sold it and bought a SM Lazer Mag in 2001. It ran great until last year when the engine locked up. My dealer actually replaced my motor at no cost to me. I was very surprised but very happy. If I were looking for a brand new auger I would have to look back at the Jiffy new models.
SM has been OK.

[went522]

Had a Jiffy 30 for years...it was great! It was a tank though, I like to hole hop, drill lots of holes so I sold it and bought a eskimo barracuda 2hp. Had it for 6 years, it saw lots of use, drilled may holes. It was a good auger, towards the end it started to "loosen up", little issue here, little issue there. Easy fixs but I decided it was time for a new one. This time I decided on SM lazer mag. Out of the box nothing but issues from getting stuck in the hole/ poor blade angle and ran poorly. I returned it a week later and got the same auger, figured it was just a lemon. On this second one I've been back to the plant twice in one year. Everything has been replaced free of charge, and should be. Bad kill switch and new carb not counting a few issues I fixed. It's been good for the last month since I had the switch replaced...knock on wood. I like the fact it's light and cuts quick but if it continues to have issues I'll be buying a new one but I do hope I got the bugs out?? If I need a new one it will most likely be a 2 hp. Jiffy STX.

Keep in mind the SM and Jiffy both use the same Tecumseh engines, the difference will be in the gear box, handle and blades. Eskimo used to use tecumseh, they now use "viper"?? Don't know much about them, I do know a few guys that have them, they seem happy.

If I had to buy new today it would be the Jiffy STX.

Good luck.

BIRDDOG

[butter101]

I am a casual ice fisherman (maybe 10 - 12 times per year). Need to purchase a new auger and am not familiar with any of the new products out there. Am thinking about a Strikemaster (only because my Jiffy has been problematic for years).

Any thoughts on the Strikemaster or other recommendations (other than Jiffy)?

Thanks
strikemaster is a good auger ive had mine for years

[Catman59]

I have a Strikemaster Mag 2000. A good simple auger . Chipper blade is not the fastest , but I am never really in a race while I drill holes. Its 4 years old and has drilled 1000s of troublefree holes.They are $279 right now , and that is a decent price.

[Dacotah Eye]

I had a Jiffy 3 hp for 13 years and I have had my 2 hp Stealth for 6 years now without a performance issue with either of them. Before the Jiffys I had a 3 hp Ice King which was a good auger and a 2 hp Eskimo which blew up on me. As I understand it, the EPA had to get it's nose into the small engine business and screw things up on the carburetors. They come from the factory set too lean.

[hawg]

Wow, I haven't been on since this sign in stuff. I have a Strikemaster and the people there are so helpfull i'm sticking with them. Have any of you guys seen a SM and a Jiffy chipper blade side by side? I love the auger but tired of buying the lazer blades, just to fragile and worthless if you lose an edge. I'm thinking 10 inch chipper if the cut fast as a jiffy.

[Crappie Kid]

My 2hp Srikemaster Lazer Mag developed a fuel line leak 2 or 3 years ago. I found that the small right-angle connector that brings fuel into the carb was cracked. After researching parts for Tillotsen carbs I decided to call StrikeMaster. They sent me 2 replacement parts in a day, for free, no questions asked, auger is 8-10 years old.

Except for the minor fuel leak this auger has been great and StrikeMaster corp is top notch!

[Backwater Eddy]

The 4 stroker StikeMaster is a very nice unit, as is the electric model. I think this is the direction we will see more of in the years to come from many manufactures.

Some early on issues with the 4 stroke were mainly operator error, and continue to be.

The most common one last season was failure to clear the hole on slush patriotically when drilling deep ice. Heavy slush and the weight on the synthetic auger caused some flighting failures. Again, very preventable, clear the hole part way down to reduce the strain on the shaft. The only returns I seen on this unit was at late ice and for this specific reason.

I have been a Jiffy guy all my life but I like light and clean more all the time. Electrics are really catching on and for many these are the best options for use and convince. I may go with either next, still chewing on that call a bit.

[Checkmate]

Judging from your statement, I have to assume you are using a hand drill not powered. I have a Nils Master Drill and love it. I too am a ice bucket fisherman who does not get enough action. The nils Master drill cuts fast and works well from my brother and his fiends recomendations. I chose the 6 inch this time and next I may go 4 inch for the panfish. Hope this helps, Checkmate

[Seedtree]

I've had a SM Mag 2000 (not a lazer mag as someone else posted) for 6 seasons now without any problems. The single chipper blade is easy to sharpen and is still going strong. Probably put a new spark plug in at the end of this year.

[LyleK]

Thanks for the input.

[Suzuki]

Jiffy 2-hp 8" Stealth for about 5 years? Works great. Mine was before they added a quieter exhaust and compresion relief. Not sure what that does to performance if anything but mine rocks. Changed to Amsoil Saber Professional 100:1 this year and that made it run even better. I had a Jiffy model 30 for 12 years before that with no problems. Changed for the weight savings.

[blueicecpa]

Ice Gator 24 volt (2 ~ 12 AH 12 V Batteries) Watch out when the 36 Volt comes out :}

http://www.icegator.com/


I have two of them with Nils Augers Augers 4 1/2", 6" & 8"


The transmission makes this thing purr.

[perchjerker]

the lakes I fish rarely get over a foot of ice on them. I used to have a Strikemaster gas auger, bought one years ago when they just came onto the market.

It was fine but developed problems over the years.

I finally decided to try a Nils. Man I am glad I did. That thing is just great. I dont bother with my gas auger anymore.

I was on Erie yesterday. Drilled a hole for a tip up. A guy was watching me and yelled over "hey what kind of auger is that???"

He was amazed that it went though the ice that quick. Its rare to get a comment like that on a hand auger LOL

[blueicecpa]

wait until you put it on an IceGator, Butter just like a hot knife in Butter:cheers:

[perchjerker]

wait until you put it on an IceGator, Butter just like a hot knife in Butter:cheers:

I imagine it would

but the price of it cuts though my wallet like that hot knife though butter too LOL

[blueroof]

Ice Gator 24 volt (2 ~ 12 AH 12 V Batteries) Watch out when the 36 Volt comes out :}


I ran a 24v gator with a Nils 8" bit earlier this year, it was very fast. Couldn't even imagine a 36v setup - sounds dangerous with the added head weight and power. Is the 36v intended for 10" bits?

[top jimmy]

honestly yeah there is more work but it costs a lot less and its good for you.